Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sent a letter to former President of Poland Lech Walesa, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, stating that he would like to congratulate the real man behind the legend.

He thanked President Walesa for being a role model of humanity, empathy and love for freedom. “You are the conscience of the Europe after the Communist dictatorship, who never allows any injustice or restriction of freedoms to occur without rising to speak”, the Prime Minister wrote.

Dear Lech Wałęsa!

It cannot be easy to exist in the world as a living legend. I know that a film about your life has also been produced recently in which we may come to know not only the famous freedom fighter of Polish history but also the real man behind the iconic image. I would now like to salute that real man.

Thank you for having throughout your life served as a role model of humanity, empathy and love for freedom. You are the conscience of the democratic Europe after the Communist dictatorship, who never allows any injustice or restriction of freedoms to occur without rising to speak.

Please allow me to congratulate you in the name of every citizen of my homeland on the occasion of your 70th birthday and to wish you and your family good health with God's blessing.

29 September 2013, Budapest
With Best Regards,
Viktor Orbán

(Prime Minister's Office)